2006 Low-Key Hillclimbs

DVD Video of 2006 Low-Key Hillclimbs!

We have a special, high-resolution video of the Highway 9, Page Mill Road, and Mt Hamilton climbs full of interviews and low-key action! Only $5 (whattadeal!) Send $5 via PayPal to , then pick up your video at Bicycle Outfitter starting 7 Dec! You might call the shop ahead of time to check for availability.

The Catalyst

You awaken, coated in sweat. A glance out the window... darkness. The dream is fading, but the fear remains. The fear, the fear of the pain. Ahh, the memory is returning... the hill... the hill... You try to suppress it. But you cannot. The hill is there. You know, the knowledge saturating your total being, that it is hopeless. You are destined to return. Again and again. There is no escape. Accept the fear. Embrace the pain.

Returning again, after a seven-year hiatus: a catalyst of the pain, a channel for the fear, the Low-Key Hillclimbs. You are ready.

The philosophy of the Low-Key series is to allow each cyclist, no matter what his or her level, no matter what his or her speed, to establish goals, and meet them. It's all about the hill, the rider, and being at one with the bike. We'll see you there.

The Schedule

On Orbit Lane, chainreaction.com

The Score

Each week, overall points will be allocated in men's and women's categories, with standings also recorded in rider-defined categories -- pick your own! Overall series rankings will also be maintained, with riders accumulating points from their up to four best results.

Team scores will also be kept, with points to the top three from each team. Ride with an established team, or create one just for the series!

Check here if you want more details!

The Volunteer

We need volunteers to make this series work! Volunteers get two free rides for each one at which they help out, plus get pro-rating of points so they don't miss out on overall standings. Coordinators get three freebies.

The Registration

Each week, registration will open an hour before the listed time, closing 15 minutes before. No pre-reg. $10 entry fee. Under 18 years old are free! Waivers available at registration. Two free entries if you volunteer, three if you're a coordinator!

All profits go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation and John Peckham's family. For more information about John Peckham, see altovelo.org.

If you can, you'll want to print and fill out the PDF release form before the event.

The Low-Key Polo Shirt, suitable for all occasions.

Email List

We have an email list! See http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/lkhc/.

Getting There

To avoid congestion and other headaches please do the following:

1. park legally (ok, goes without saying, right :)
2. park away from the climb location and ride to the registration and staging areas - this avoids masses of cars and bikes, which isn't good. Plus, you need a warm up anyway, right? Most, if not all, of these climbs have ample parking within a good warmup distance from the registration, staging and the start.

Better yet, ride to the start, or take public transit! The relaxed Low-Key 10am start time make riding and/or taking the train an excellent option. See Caltrain's website for train schedules, or 511.org for BART and bus options. Bike route info is also available from 511.org.

The Low-Key Way

The low-keys are just what you want them to be. We do time and keep track of times and points, but by no means is that the main reason for these climbs. They're for having fun, checking out the area climbs, and meeting people.

A wide spectrum of folks climb this series - and you can create your own team and category, or call yourself something like Mr. Slug - or whatever you want.

I hear this year we'll even have a couple unicyclists... yes, it's true...

For those new to Low-Keyin', the process is simple:

1. you show up at the start (we like to encourage people to ride to the start to minimize congestion), register, sign the release, get your special NUMBER STICKER that you place on your handlebars (something people keep throughout the series, and the years... anyone still have their sticker?)
2. then depending on the climb, we either mass start the group, or start you in small groups, or individually..
3. you climb to the top at your own pace - some fly up, others sit and chat with friends and other riders
4. when you reach the top, you yell out your number (which is funny to watch as some folks can barely speak), we record the time,
5. then you can eat our array of bananas, fruit drinks, etc and socialize with the folks at the top.
6. About a day later, we place the times on the website along with 'points earned' (ask Dan Connelly about the algorithm - basically a % of the fastest time)... each week we do this and tally the votes until the end when...
7. we have the final ceremonies for several categories we make up - some standard ones, some unexpected.

It's pretty cool. And, as is tradition, all riders and especially all volunteers and coordinators enjoyed each others 2006 company one last time at the Low-Key HillClimbs Party on 5 Dec. See you next year!

Contact

Email Kevin Winterfield: